Tooth whitening is the most often-used cosmetic dentistry treatment, and
Americans spend an estimated two to three billion dollars annually on either
in-home treatments or in-office procedures. While few of us would doubt the
desirability of a bright sparkling smile, there are some downsides and
limitations to what can be done. Knowing some of these issues will help you
prepare a list of questions to ask your dentist before you agree to a course of
tooth bleaching.

- Sensitivity and irritation

Tooth whitening procedures can cause a degree of irritation, or increased dental
sensitivity, in patients. Irritation is usually a result of bleaching agents
coming in contact with soft tissue like gums, while sensitivity is caused by
high levels of hydrogen peroxide or other bleaching compounds affecting the
tooth itself. Neither of these problems should continue for more than a day or
two.

- Varying degrees of success

Whitening is best measured as a change, rather than an absolute value. In other
words, if your teeth are particularly dark to start with you are less likely to
end up with brilliantly white teeth after whitening treatments. It may be
possible to reach the shade that you're hoping for eventually, but it will take
longer and more sustained treatments in your case.

- Remember, it's tooth whitening not filling whitening

Whether at home or in your dentist's office, the effect will only be seen on
your natural teeth. Fillings, veneers, crowns, bridges and other reconstructive
dentistry will not be affected. If you're planning to also have these kind of
procedures done in tandem with tooth whitening, you should first have the
whitening treatment. Once your natural teeth have achieved your desired shade,
reconstructive elements can be color-matched to your new shade.

- Nothing lasts forever

Immediately after your treatment you can expect your teeth to darken again
slightly; this is known as the rebound effect and is perfectly normal. The color
will then stabilize and should remain constant for at least six months and up to
a couple of years. You can maintain the color by scheduling touch-up treatments
every six months or so.

- Tooth whitening systems are all similar

There are three broad categories of whitening procedures, and : In-office
treatment; dentist-prescribed at-home treatment; and over the counter
treatments. In-office treatment is usually the most effective, while OTC
treatments are the least. The differences are primarily a result of the
concentration of bleaching agent in the various treatments; your dentist will
use more powerful compounds in the office than you can (or should) purchase to
use at home.

None of the various brand names of in-office treatments - Zoom, Britesmile,
Opalescence, etc. - are particularly more effective than the next. So long as
your dentist is using the most current methods, the results should all be
satisfactory.

I highly recommend that you speak to a dentist about tooth whitening, rather
than using an over-the-counter treatment; professional advice can maximize the
effect of this procedure, and you'll get better results overall with fewer
potential side effects.

If you live in San Francisco, the Bay Area, or Oakland, tooth whitening
resources can be found at
http://www.OaklandToothWhitening.net where we have gathered
information about the top cosmetic dentists in Oakland.